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indican

Pronunciation: /ˈɪndɪkan/

Definition of indican

noun

[mass noun] Biochemistry

a potassium salt present in urine, in which it occurs as a product of the metabolism of indole.
- Alternative name: potassium indoxylsulphate; chemical formula C₈H₆NOSO₂OH

Origin:

mid 19th century: from Latin indicum 'indigo' (because of its early use denoting an indoxyl glucoside occurring in the leaves of indigo plants) + -an